Enclosed switch



Oct. 1, 1940. R. N. ROWE ENCLOSED SWITCH Filed July 2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l mvam'oa RqymanaZMRozz/e Oct. 1, 1940. v R Row 2,216,298

ENCLOSED SWITCH Filed July 2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JW/TZZ I I 45 I 46 47 l WORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 a R a Ow a m unh 1 WW X5 H ER 1 5 v n I. m mm 0 M 2 .a o a M H J W mm fl "w 0 0 kNEY Oct. 1, 1940. R. N. ROWE ENCLOSED SWITCH Filed- July 2, 1938 Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENCLOSED SWITCH necticut Application July 2, 1938, Serial No. 217,262

My invention relates particularly to what are commonly termed front operated switches.

One object is to provide a box with actuating mechanism which is adapted to be used with standard or conventional circuit making and breaking devices.

Another object is to provide interlocking or safety features for such a switch.

Another object is to provide a construction of this character which can also be actuated when the cover is open.

Another object is to provide a front actuated switch having all of the snap action or quick make and break mechanism carried by the cover.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown three modifications involving various features of my invention.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a safety switch' involving one form of my invention with a key releasable interlock and with the cover closed and the parts in the oil or open circuit position. Part of the cover of the box is broken away to show the interior mechanism. In this form the quick make and break mechanism is of a front lever operated switch type.

Fig. 2 is a view of the interior of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 but with the cover open.

Fig. 3 is an end view and partial section of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar View of the parts in the position of Fig. 2, the cover being open.

4a is a perspective view of a detail of the hinged connection between the cover-carried actuator parts and the box-carried switch actuator parts.

Fig. 5 is a front view of another type switch involving my invention, the cover being closed and part of the cover being broken away to show the interior. In this form part of the quick make 4;; and break mechanism is contained in the handle linkage and part in another conventional type of switch mechanism.

6 is a side view of the form shown in Fig. 5, of the box being broken away to disclose the interior.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 5, the section being taken on the plane of the line 1--'! of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a similar section of the same parts with the cover open.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another form involving my invention, the cover being open and the switch proper being omitted. In this form the quick make and break mechanism is all carried by the cover.

Fig. 10 is a cross section of this same form with the cover closed.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of part of the quick make and break device of Figs. 9 and 10.

In the form shown in Figs. 1', 2, 3 and 4, the box H has a cover l5 hinged at IS. The box and cover may have lugs l1 and i8 and be held closed ,by one or more screws IS.

The switch proper 20 may be of any suitable type with its own contacts and conventional quick make and quick break mechanism actuated by a lever or handle 2|.

Parallel with the axis of the hinge is a rod 22 guided in supports 23. A slotted arm 24 is secured to this rod and engages the lever 21 so that when the arm is moved in a direction parv A second arm 26 has lugs 26' hinged to the rod 22 at opposite ends of the sleeve 21 which is secured to the rod so that the arm 26 can swing from the position of Figs. 1 and 3 to that of Figs. 2, 4 and 4a, but when the arm 26 is moved up or down in a direction parallel with the hinge of the box cover it will move the rod 22 and the arm 24 and thus actuate the switch mechanism.

An operating handle 28 is mounted on the outside of the cover of the box and suitably connected to a cam disc 29 on the inside of the cover. This disc has an arm 30 secured to it which in turn is engaged in a slot 26" in the arm 26 by a pin 3i so that when the handle 28 and the disc 29 are turned the arm 30 moves the arm 26 to actuate the switch. On account of the hinged type of connection between the arm 30, the arm 26 and the rod 22, it is possible to actuate the switch when the cover is open as well as when it is closed.

I prefer furthermore to employ a safety catch mechanism including a latch 32 hinged at 33 and provided with a tip 32 to interlock with the projection 29 of the disc 29 as shown in Fig. 2 when the switch is off and the cover open. A spring 34 tends to draw the latch 32 downwardly. The pivot slot 33 in the latch permits it to tilt slightly so as to permit the cover to be closed and the hook 32 to interlock with the pin 35 carried by the box body and disengage the latch from disc 29 when the cover is closed.

When the cover is closed and the switch on,

substantial movement of the latch tip 32 is prelatch will normally engage the cam disc 29 and' prevent closing the circuit until the operator releases the latch manually. This type of latch mechanism is generally like those shown in the patents to H. M. Broadwell 1,568,042 or H. J. Hammerly 2,079,286.

The external handle can of course be padlocked either in the on or off position in any suitable manner (not shown).

In the form shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the quick make and break mechanism is contained partly in the handle linkage on the cover and partly in the box. In this form, the box 40 has a cover H hinged at 12 and these parts may be held closed by lug and screws as in the form of Fig. 1.

Any conventional type of switch mechanism may be used and actuated by a crank arm 43. Parallel with the axis of the cover hinge is a rod dd guided in supports 55. A notched yoke member M is slidably supported on the rod 44 and engages the arm 43 so that when the yoke member G l is moved in a direction parallel with the hinge it the arm d3 will be moved to the on br off position as the case may be.

An arm id has lugs rotatably mounted on rod at opposite ends of sleeve dd" which is fixed on rod 415. Between each lug and the adjacent part of yoke member dd is a compression spring Ma so that when the arm it is moved up or down in a direction parallel with the hinge of. the box cover, one of the springs Ma will be compressed against the-yoke member and. force said member up or down (as the case may be) and thus move the crank shaft arm 53. A spring biased holding lever 3d pivoted in the bottom of the box has a notched portion ma: which engages an arm 43' of the switch operating crank shaft. This lever 49' serves to hold the crank shaft while one of the springs Ma is being compressed. When the pressure developed is sufficient to cause the crank arm G3 to snap out of the notch or the lever 49', the switch will be actuated with a quick make or break as the case may be.

The operating mechanism is similar to that of the form shown in Fig. l and includes an external operating handle il, inner cam disc ll and arm d'l" loosely connected to the arm 35 by pin 41a, all or which parts with the exception of the arm dd being carried by the cover 5i.

On account of the hinged type of connection between the arm 5?", the arm 35 and the rod Mi, it is possible to actuate the switch'when the cover is open as well as when it is closed.

The latching mechanism is similar to that of Fig. l and includes the spring pressed latch d8 pivoted to the cover and adapted to .coact with the cam disc d and the pindS on the box body.

A guard member li' having an opening for receiving a padlock or seal (not shown) may be provided to secure the handle desired.

In the form shown in Figs. 9, l and 11, the entire quick make and break mechanism is carried entirely by the cover of the box. In this form, the box 55 has a cover i hinged at 52. Any ordinary type of switch mechanism (not shown) may be mounted in the box and actuated by a crank shaft 53 supported by brackets 54 and provided with an extension arm 55.

Parallel with the axis of the hinge 52 is a rod 55 guided in supports 51. A yoke 58 is fastened on rod 56 and is provided with spaced lugs which are adapted to engage the extension arm portion 55 of the crank shaft 53 so that as the rod 56 is moved up or down in a direction parallel with the hinge of the box cover the crank shaft 53 will be rotarily moved to actuate the switch mecha-- nism.

An arm 59 (like arm 26) is hinged to the rod 55 so that the cover may be swung open and closed, but, in either position, when the arm 59 is moved up or down in a direction parallel with the hinge of the box cover it will move the rod 56 and thus actuate the switch mechanism.

An operating handle 60 is mounted on the outside of the cover of the box and is suitably connected to a cam disc 51 on the inside of the cover. Another notched disc 62 is fastened to the disc 6!. A throwing lever or member 63 has a lost motion connection with the disc 62 and has an arm 66 carrying a pin Bl which loosely engages arm 59 in slot 59'. Member 63 is also operatively connected to a compression spring 68 for throwing the lever and connected arm 59, without continued movement of the handle. Screws 85 hold the discs and throwing lever to the handle 60. This quick make and break action is generally similar to that of Benjamin E. Getchell Patents 1,534.,515 and 1,578,422.

A stop 99 may be provided to limit the movement of the cam disc 6i and handle 66.

Safety catch mechanism similar to that shown in the other forms of the invention is provided including a latch 19 hinged at H and provided with a hook 13 to coact with the cam disc 6|. A spring 12 tends to draw the latch downwardly. The pivot of the latch permits it to tilt slightly so as to permit hook M on the latch to interlock with pin on the box body and to disengage the latch from disc 61 when the cover is closed. The pivot may be in the form of a slot as shown in Fig. 1 so that a key-release may be added.

A guard member 16 provided with an opening for receiving a seal or padlock for the handle may be provided. Latch retracting means such as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 may be employed if desired.

In each form of device shown any suitable form of contact mechanism may be employed and the switch actuated from the front of the box cover whether the cover is open or closed.

In my copending application Serial Number 349,907, filed August 2, 1940, I have covered broadly forms of my invention herein shown and described as well as other forms which are covered specifically therein.

I claim:

V 1. An enclosed switch having a box body hav ing a cover hinged thereto, circuit making means secured in the box, a slidable rod guided in the secured in the box, a slidable rod guided in the box, an operating arm carried by said rod for actuating the circuit making means, an operating handle carried by the cover, means of maintaining operable connection between said handle and said rod in all positions of said cover with respect to said box body, and interlocking means carried by the cover and coacting with the handle and with the box body to prevent opening the cover when the circuit is closed.

3. An enclosed switch including a box body having a cover hinged thereto, a circuit breaker mounted in the box body and having a projecting operating lever, an arm slidable across the face of the circuit breaker and having a slot to receive the end of said lever, operating means having a handle carried by the cover and hinged and sliding means of maintaining operative connection between said operating means and said arm in all positions of said cover with respect to said box body.

4. A safety switch including a box body having a cover hinged thereto, switching means in the box body, a rod mounted in the box parallel with the hinge of the cover, a. crank arm hinged to said rod and connected to the switching means, a spring pressing said crank arm in one direction, an external handle carried by the cover, and a second arm rotatable by and with the handle and having a sliding connection with said crank arm on said rod.

5. A safety switch including a box body having a cover hinged thereto, switching means in the box body, a rod mounted in the box parallel with the hinge of the cover, a crank arm hinged to said rod and connected to the switching means, a spring pressing said crank arm in one direction, an external handle carried by the cover, a second arm rotatable by and with the handle and having a sliding connection with said crank arm on said rod and interlocking means carried by the cover and coacting with the handle and with the box body to prevent opening the cover when the circuit is closed.

6. An enclosed switch construction having a box body with a cover hinged thereto, make and break mechanism mounted in the box body and including an operating arm, snap action actuating means carried by the cover and means for transmitting the action of the snap action actuating means to the operating arm of the make and break mechanism in all positions of said cover with respect to said box, part of said transmitting means being carried by the cover and part of it being carried by the box.

7. An enclosed switch construction having a box body with a cover hinged thereto, make and break mechanism mounted in the box body and including an operating arm, snap action actuating means carried by the cover and means for transmitting the action of the snap action actuating means to the operating arm of the make and break mechanism in all positions of said cover with respect to said box, comprising means slidable in the box and hinged to the snap action actuating means.

8. An enclosed switch having a box body having a cover hinged thereto, circuit making means secured in the box, an operating rod slidably supported in the box body for actuating the circuit making means, an operating handle carried by the cover and a hinged connection between said handle and said rod, said hinged connection being operable in all normal positions of said cover with respect to said box.

9. An enclosed switch including a box body having a cover hinged thereto, a circuit breaker mounted in the box body and having an operating lever, an arm slidably supported in the box body and engaging said operating lever of the circuit breaker and operating means having a handle carried by the cover and means of maintaining operable connection between said operating means and said arm in all positions of said cover with respect to said box.

10. An enclosed switch having a box with a cover hinged at one edge, circuit making and breaking mechanism mounted in the box and having an actuating lever, a rod slidably mounted in the box adjacent the hinged edge of the cover, members carried by said rod and engaging opposite sides of said actuating lever, an operating handle pivoted to the cover and having its axis perpendicular to the plane of the cover, an arm hinged to said rod, and a second arm connected to and movable with the handle and having a swinging connection with the hinged arm.

11. An enclosed switch construction having a box body with a cover hinged thereto, make and break mechanism mounted in the box body, snap action actuating means carried by the cover and means for transmitting the action of the snap action actuating means to the make and break mechanism in all positions of said cover with respect to said box, part of said transmitting means being carried by the cover and part of it being carried by the box.

12. An enclosed switch including a box body having a cover hinged thereto, circuit making and breaking means including an actuating lever in the box, a sliding rod supported in the box, an arm carried by the rod for moving said actuating lever, an arm on the-cover for sliding said rod,

- a rotatable handle and an arm carried by the handle and operatively connected to the'rod sliding arm for moving the latterwhereby the lever is actuated in any normal relative position of said cover.

13. An enclosed switch including a. box body having a cover hinged thereto, circuit making and breaking means including a projecting operating lever in the box, a sliding rod in the box, a yoke member carried by the rod and adapted to engage said lever for actuating the same, an arm supported by the rod and having a sleeve member around the rod, a spring on either side of said sleeve and between the sleeve and yoke member, a rotatable handle, a disc carried by the handle. an arm carried by the disc and operatively connected to the arm on the rod for moving the latter against the action of either of said springs and spring actuated means coacting with said circuit making and breaking means whereby the yoke is moved with a snap action.

14. An enclosed switch including a box body having a cover hinged thereto, circuit making and breaking means including a projecting crank shaft on the box, a sliding rod in the box, projections on the rod adapted to engage the crank shaft to actuate the same, a hinged arm on the rod for sliding same, a rotatable handle on the cover, a throwing lever fastened to the handle, an arm on the lever operatively connected to the hinged arm for moving the latter, and snap action mechanism on the cover for moving said throwing lever with a snap action upon the rotation of the handle a certain distance.

15. An enclosed switch including a box having a cover hinged thereto and a rear wall, a switch mounted in the box on the rear wall and having a projecting operating lever, a handle movably mounted on the outside of the cover, an arm on the inside of the cover and movable by the handle, a member slidably mounted in said box, a loose connection between said arm and said slidably mounted member, and means for operably connecting said slidably mounted member to said Operating lever in all positions of said cover with respect to said box.

16. An enclosed switch including a box having a cover hinged thereto and a rear wall, a switch mounted in the box on the rear wall and having a projecting operating lever, a handle movably mounted on the outside of the cover, quick make and quick break mechanism mounted on the inside of the box and operated by said handle, a member slidably mounted inside of the box, a connecting link between said mechanism and said slidably mounted member, and means for connecting said slidably mounted member to said operating lever in all relative positions of said cover and said box;

1'7. An enclosed switch including a box, a cover hinged thereto, a handle pivotally mounted on the outside of the cover, an arm on the inside of the cover operated by movement of the handle, a member mounted for sliding movement adjacent and parallel to the axis of the cover hinge, a pin and slot connection between said arm and said member, switch mechanism including an operating lever mounted in said box, and means connecting said lever to said member in all normal relative positions of said cover and said box.

RAYMOND N. ROWE. 

